Founder: Siddhartha Gautama: A Hindu, becomes the Buddha -"The Enlightened One"
Basic Beliefs of Buddhism:
The Four Noble Truths
All life is full of suffering, pain, and sorrow.
The cause of suffering is the desire for things that are actually illusions, such as riches, power, and long life.
The only cure for suffering is to overcome desire.
The way to overcome desire is to follow the Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path
Right Understandings
Right Thought
Right Aspirations or Concentrations
Right Speech
Right Conduct or Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Final Goal: Nirvana: become one with the Universe and to be released from the Samsara
Similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism:
Both believe in Karma, Dharma, and Moksha - (liberation from cycle of death)
Both believe in Ahimsa - (non-violence)
Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism:
Buddhism: Individuals seek enlightenment through meditation
Reject the caste system
Learning Centers
Followers set up monasteries and convents for study and meditation - later these places become centers of learning.
Sacred Text:
The Tripitaka: collected sayings of the Buddha.
The Two Major Divisions of Buddhism:
Theravada Buddhism: closely follows original teachings of Buddhism in that it requires a life devoted to spiritual work. The main difference of T.B. from original Buddhism is that only the most dedicated seekers reach Nirvana ie: monks, nuns.
This form of Buddhism is most popular in Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism: deify the Buddha and other holy beings. These beings help others in achieving salvation. This religion contains vivid descriptions of the after-life. This form of Buddhism is most popular in China, Korea, and Japan.
Tibetan Buddhism: Has elements that relate most closely to those of Mahayana Buddhism.
Founder: Siddhartha Gautama: A Hindu, becomes the Buddha -"The Enlightened One"
Basic Beliefs of Buddhism:
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
- Right Understandings
- Right Thought
- Right Aspirations or Concentrations
- Right Speech
- Right Conduct or Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
Final Goal: Nirvana: become one with the Universe and to be released from the SamsaraSimilarities between Buddhism and Hinduism:
Both believe in Karma, Dharma, and Moksha - (liberation from cycle of death)
Both believe in Ahimsa - (non-violence)
Differences between Buddhism and Hinduism:
Buddhism: Individuals seek enlightenment through meditation
Reject the caste system
Learning Centers
Followers set up monasteries and convents for study and meditation - later these places become centers of learning.
Sacred Text:
The Tripitaka: collected sayings of the Buddha.
The Two Major Divisions of Buddhism:
Theravada Buddhism: closely follows original teachings of Buddhism in that it requires a life devoted to spiritual work. The main difference of T.B. from original Buddhism is that only the most dedicated seekers reach Nirvana ie: monks, nuns.
This form of Buddhism is most popular in Sri Lanka and South East Asia.
Mahayana Buddhism: deify the Buddha and other holy beings. These beings help others in achieving salvation. This religion contains vivid descriptions of the after-life. This form of Buddhism is most popular in China, Korea, and Japan.
Tibetan Buddhism: Has elements that relate most closely to those of Mahayana Buddhism.